Home Remedies for Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts, also known as Bible cysts or Bible bumps, are small, round sacs or lumps filled with a viscous synovial fluid.

The size of the lumps can range from pea-size to nearly an inch in diameter. They usually form over a joint or tendon in the fingers, wrists, ankles or soles of the feet.

The most common symptoms of a ganglion cyst are pain and discomfort along with tingling sensations, numbness or muscle weakness. Depending on the size, these cysts may feel firm or spongy.

The exact cause of developing ganglion cysts is not known, but any joint or tendon irritation or mechanical changes may trigger this problem.

These cysts are most common in people between the ages of 15 and 40, particularly women and gymnasts who repeatedly apply stress to the wrist.

In rare cases, they can occur in children younger than 10 years old. People suffering from osteoarthritis or those having a joint or tendon injury are also more likely to develop this problem.

Often, ganglion cysts heal with simple medications and home treatments, but in some cases surgical removal is considered the best option.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for ganglion cysts.

1. Warm Compresses

You can reduce the discomforts associated with a ganglion cyst with regular use of warm compresses. It will increase blood circulation to the affected area and promote fluid drainage. It will also reduce pain and swelling.

However, warm compresses will not prevent the growth of a cyst.

Soak a washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess water.

Put this warm cloth directly on the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.

Repeat 3 or 4 times daily until the cyst is gone.

2. Black Tea Bags

The acidic property of black tea helps heal a ganglion cyst and prevents it from getting worse. The tea’s anti-inflammatory nature also provides relief from pain and swelling.

Dip a black tea bag in warm water for 5 minutes.

Remove it and squeeze out the excess water.

Hold the moist, warm tea bag over the affected area for 10 minutes.

Repeat a few times daily for several days.

3. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is an effective astringent that can help reduce the size of a ganglion cyst and prevent it from recurring. It can also ease the pain.

Apply 2 drops of frankincense oil on your cyst.

Cover it with a soft, clean bandage.

Do this once daily, using a clean bandage each time, until the size has reduced. Continue applying the oil for a couple of weeks to reduce the risk of recurrence.

fatima

can you explain more the method? i had one years ago, it was so big and i do a surgy, but unfortunatly it come back one month later and it become more big i drink lemon juice with water and i remark that reduce the volume but it not disapear can anybody help me plz

Steve

I just used the “Bible Therapy” method. Just take hardcover book and smack the bump with it a few times with increasingly hard strikes… start easy, then work up from there. When you feel the bump start to go down in size, i.e. the fluid-filled sack burst and the fluid can drain back into the body, massage the area until the bump is gone.

If it matters, I used a copy of Freakonomics and not an actual Bible.

It was gone in 30 seconds, which seems a better method than surgery or taking some kind of homeopathic placebo.

Paul Friday

I had a cyst on the back of my hand that was quite sensitive. After a month of immobilizing my wrist and using frankincense oil on sticky plasters, I accidentally knocked the gangleon on a (rubber) mat during my aikido lesson. It hurt for about 10 seconds (really no worse than knocking any joint) and it was gone. I wish I’d just whacked it to start with.

Noble-E

Some doctor told me to be careful with the book hitting method . Maybe good to expolre other methods such as taking Frankincese , Oil massage and Black tea treatment that will add other value to related inflammatory treatments making it more holistic. in nature . I understand Tea Trea Oil and Epsom salt and tumeric work wonders on this as well worth giving a go

Naomi

Paula

Told about the “Bible method” by my GP, I have one on the top of my foot! However the GP also advised that due to where it was I was more lucky to break a few bones while doing it!! Mine occurred due to twisting the foot awkwardly while walking, any suggestions to get rid of it. It is a soft one and cannot be drained so told surgery is the only fix please help as becomes painful at times.

michelle

Carl

Thanks to all the other comments I ended up using a school textbook and yes it worked but before all that I went to the emergency room they told me what it was scheduled me to see another doctor which told me that it would be a waste of time to have surgery but they would do it so in order to save myself that extra expense home remedy slammed a textbook down on it a couple of times it popped massage that out until the night was gone then taped a quarter on it to keep it down so yes thank you to the Top 10 home remedies

Marcie Downie

I had glanglion on my wrist I thought it was arthritis because of the discomfort, the dr confirmed it was a glanglion. I hit it with the back of the house phone twice and it disappeared before my eyes, the pain from hitting it wasn’t as bad as having it there. It’s a perfect solution, just give it a good wack. All the best Marcie x

Anzia

Even though the bible therapy works doctors suggest it should be avoided because after hitting the bump the fluid will still remain inside and there may be chances of getting those bumps again. The home remedies also mentioned not to hit the cyst with heavy objects.

Chris

Years ago I went to doctor for ganglion on my wrist. He was an old timer and said there were 2 choices: surgery or the thump method. I opted for thump so he grabbed his PDR from the shelf and smacked my wrist. Worked like charm.

Genevieve

Just tried the smash it with a book method for one on top of my wrist! Didn’t have to hit it too hard, it was gone immediately! Massaged the area for a few minutes after to get all the fluid out. My wrist looks normal again.

Helen

I have 2 ganglions in both of my wrists removed through surgery, one has never returned. I have however just healed from the other wrist surgery to remove it and now after the swelling has reduced it appears I have another ganglion in the same wrist…unsure how it was missed but it is now going to cost more to have this one checked out. I will be trying these home remedies and seeing if they help.